Crystal Palace forward Ismaila Sarr was linked with a move to Liverpool late in the summer transfer window but ultimately remained at Selhurst Park.
The Senegal international, Palace’s top scorer last season, has yet to feature this campaign due to a groin injury and will miss Saturday’s trip to Fulham.
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Liverpool explored a move for Sarr after Brighton rejected two bids of £50m and £60m for Yankuba Minteh. Like Minteh, Sarr is a right-sided winger with Premier League experience.
Sarr was also linked with Galatasaray. Crystal Palace coach Pierre Sage says the forward will need time to process the collapse of his proposed move to Liverpool.
Sage said on Thursday: “He has to digest for sure because it’s a dream for a lot of players to play with this kind of club (Liverpool).
“He had a good opportunity but in the end it didn’t work. If he wants to continue, you have to have a good season with us as he did last year. We know he needs time. Like every bad situation, time does the job and we need time for that.”
With uncertainty over Sarr’s future, Palace held talks over Belgium forward Malick Fofana on deadline day, but the 21-year-old opted to leave Lyon for Sunderland in a £30m deal.
“We gave our best,” added Sage on the negotiations. “At the end of the day the player chose his criteria and I wish him and them the best because he’s a good guy and a good player.”
Liverpool were reportedly prepared to sanction Cody Gakpo’s exit if they had found a suitable replacement. Sarr and Minteh were among the players the Reds sounded out, but they could not agree a fee with either club.
Liverpool therefore rejected an £80million bid for Gakpo from Manchester City on Monday. The Reds did, however, completed the signing of Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain.
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